Box Score: No. 21 Akron 3, VCU 0
Location: Richmond, Va. / Sports Backers Stadium
Records: VCU (0-1), Akron (1-0)
THE SHORT STORY
VCU men's soccer fell to nationally ranked No. 21 Akron on opening night at Sports Backers Stadium. The Rams held the Zips to just a penalty kick goal for the first 60 minutes, but a pair of goals brought the contest out of reach.
PITCH SIDE
- VCU was outshot 20-5 and Akron held the slight edge in corner kicks, 8-6
- Trevor Maloney made his first career start in goal and freshman Manuel Monteiro had his collegiate debut for the second half
- Fifth-year Ram Camilo Comi made his return from injury on the starting XI
- Both VCU and Akron logged one save in the contest
- Akron's goals were scored by Stefan Dobrijevic (PK), Tyler Morck and Farrel Ngongang
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Andrey Salmeron ripped the first on-target shot of the contest in the 22nd minute, but Mitch Budler managed to make the opening save
- The Rams started out strong defensively in the first half, limiting Akron's chances and allowing the Zips to place just one shot on goal in the 40th minute, but a foul on the rebound resulted in a penalty kick
- Senior forward Dobrijevic buried the first goal of the season just past the fingertips of Maloney
- Akron netted a pair of goals in the 63rd and 66th minutes, and VCU was unable to pull together a comeback bid on opening night, falling 0-3
UP NEXT
The Rams return to action on the road at UNC Greensboro, who appears in the TopDrawerSoccer national top 25 poll at No. 23, at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 24.
